Rotatable light bar for motor vehicle sport bars

ABSTRACT

A light bar for a motor vehicle has a plurality of lights mounted to an elongated support member is rotatably connected to opposing end walls of a rectangular frame. An offset cam is connected to the support member and moved by an actuating mechanism between a first and second position which cause the support member and lights to rotate about an axis to corresponding first and second positions. When the support frame and lights are in a first position they are shielded by and substantially enclosed by the sides and ends of the rectangular frame, and when in a second position the lights extend above and generally parallel to the rectangular frame to shine above and forward of the rectangular frame. A power switch energizes the actuating mechanism to move the lights and support member between the first and second positions.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to lights for a sports bar usedon motor vehicles, typically trucks.

In order to enhance night visibility, supplemental lights may be mountedto a sports bar located to position the lights above the cab of a truckwith the lights located and orientated to supplement the vehiclelighting. The sports bar typically mounts to the cab of a vehicle at thefront or rear of the cab, or mounts to the upper edge of a truck bed boxso that the sports bar is located at the roof of the vehicle, at aheight above the head of the seated driver and seated passengers. Aplurality of lights is mounted to the bar, with the lights shiningforward and slightly downward to enhance visibility in front of thevehicle. When mounted to pickup trucks with beds, the light bar istypically located at or slightly above the rear of the cab with thelights shining forward, over the top of the cab.

These supplemental night lights are often used in off-road situationswhere rough terrain with undergrowth may extend over the vehicle's caband hit the lights, or in wooded terrain where branches may scrape thevehicle's top and hit the lights. The projecting lights may be damagedby contact with such undergrowth or tree branches either during use atnight or during the daytime when the vehicle passes below the limbs ofsuch undergrowth or branches. Further, any rocks or debris reaching theheight of the vehicle's top may damage the lights by cracking or evenbreaking the lens on the light. There is thus a need for a light barwith lights that are more resistant to damage from passing undergrowthand branches.

These supplemental lights extend generally perpendicular to the top ofthe vehicle's cab and may create wind turbulence and noise when thevehicle drives on roads. Both the noise and resulting increase in fuelusage from the wind resistance are undesirable. There is thus a need fora light bar with lights that reduce wind turbulence and noise.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A light bar for a motor vehicle has a plurality of lights mounted to anelongated support member is rotatably connected to opposing end walls ofa rectangular frame. An offset cam is connected to the support memberand moved by an actuating mechanism between a first and second positionwhich cause the support member and lights to rotate about an axis tocorresponding first and second positions. When the support frame andlights are in a first position they are shielded by and substantiallyenclosed by the sides and ends of the rectangular frame, and when in asecond position the lights extend above and generally parallel to therectangular frame to shine above and forward of the rectangular frame. Apower switch energizes the actuating mechanism to move the lights andsupport member between the first and second positions.

In more detail, a light bar is provided having a support frame that maybe mounted to a vehicle cab or a separate mounting structure to locatethe support frame along the top of a vehicle's cab. The frame extendsacross a width of the vehicle's cab with an end frame at each opposingend of the support frame. An elongated support member extends betweenthe end frames and is rotatably mounted to those end frames so as torotate about a longitudinal axis extending between those end frames. Aplurality of lights are mounted to the elongated support member and thesupport frame is configured to permit the lights to rotate between afirst, retracted position where the lights are preferably pointinggenerally vertical and generally parallel to the vehicle cab, and asecond, deployed position where the lights are preferably facing forwardto supplement the vehicle lights during use.

A rotating mechanism rotates the elongated support member and attachedlights between the first and second positions. The rotating mechanismpreferably comprises a piston having a first end mounted to the supportframe and a second end mounted to the elongated support member at alocation offset from the longitudinal axis about which the elongatedsupport member rotates, thus effectively forming an offset cam thatrotates the elongated support member and lights to the second, deployedposition as the piston extends, and rotating the elongated supportmember and lights to the first, retracted position as the pistonretracts. In the first, retracted position the lights are advantageouslyvertically below the upper periphery of the support frame so the supportframe preferably encloses the periphery of the lights and elongatedsupport member to reduce wind resistance and noise and to permit thesupport frame to deflect branches and undergrowth from the lights. Inthe second, deployed position, the lights, or a substantial portion ofthe lights are preferably above the upper periphery of the support frameto provide additional light to the vehicle's driver.

The piston can be extended and retracted by various mechanisms,including a solenoid, electric motor and gear arrangement, electriccompressor driving a pneumatic piston, hydraulically, or rotating alever connected to the elongated support member. Each of these variousmechanisms may drive the piston through the desired motion range ofextension and retraction.

In more detail, there is advantageously provided a light bar andmounting system for a motor vehicle that includes a generallyrectangular support frame having an elongated base with two opposingsidewalls joined to two opposing, first and second ends. The supportframe has an open top and an open or closed bottom. A rotational axisextends between the first and second ends and an elongated supportmember extends along and rotates about that axis between a first,retracted position and a second, deployed position. A plurality ofelectrical lights are fastened to the elongated support member so as topoint in the same direction and rotate with the elongated support memberbetween the first and second positions. The plurality of lights in thefirst position point along a generally vertical axis during use and inthe second position the lights point in a direction generallyperpendicular to the first direction. An actuating mechanism has apiston connected to the elongated support member at a location offsetfrom the rotational axis to form an offset cam. The actuating member ismovable between a first, retracted cam position which rotates theelongated support member and lights to the first, retracted position,and a second, deployed cam position which rotates the elongated supportmember and lights to the second, deployed position. The system mayfurther include a first and second mounting brackets, each having afirst, upper end connected to a different one of the first end of thesupport frame, or optionally to one of the sides of the support frame.The mounting brackets each have a second, lower end with a mountingplate to connect to the vehicle during use.

In further variations, the first and second mounting brackets eachcomprise a single, tubular member. The first and second mountingbrackets may also each include a first and second tube extendingdownward and angled apart from each other and extending downward adistance sufficient to locate a bottom of the support frame sidewalls atthe top of a vehicle cab of a pickup truck when the mounting plates areconnected to a box of the pickup truck. The sidewalls and lights may beconfigured so that when the lights are in the first, retracted positioneach of the lights is below an upper edge of at least one of thesidewalls. The elongated support member preferably has a C-shapedcross-section. The lights may be three inch, square lights, or seveninch, round lights. The actuating mechanism preferably includes a pistonthat is extendable and retractable to rotate the elongated supportmember, and may include a solenoid. The actuating mechanism ispreferably electrically powered and actuated by a switch. The switch maybe mounted on the support frame or a mounting bracket.

There is also provided a light bar and mounting system for a motorvehicle that includes a housing having two opposing sidewalls sized toextend across a substantial portion of the width of a motor vehiclewhere the housing has two opposing end walls each connected to bothsidewalls at opposing ends of the sidewalls. The system also includes anelongated support member within the housing and rotatably connected tothe end walls to rotate about a longitudinal axis through the end walls.A plurality of lights are connected to the elongated support member soas to emit light in the same direction during use. An offset cam isconnected to the elongated support to rotate offset cam, the supportmember and the lights about the longitudinal between first and secondpositions. The first position has the lights facing generally horizontalduring use and the second position having the lights generallyperpendicular to the first position.

In further variations of this system, it may include an actuatingmechanism connected to the housing. The mechanism may include a drivingmechanism moving a piston that extends and retracts, the piston beingconnected to the offset cam to move the cam between the first and secondpositions. The system may also include a mounting bracket connecting atleast one light to the elongated support member with the mountingbracket connected to the light at two locations to define a lightrotational axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis about whichthe light may rotate. A clamping mechanism restrains such rotation at adesired rotation. This system may also include first and second vehiclemounts each connected to a different end of at least one of thesidewalls or end walls and extending downward during use.

There is also provided light bar and mounting system may supplement amotor vehicle lighting system. This system includes a light barconnected to a motor vehicle having wheels so as to extend across awidth of the vehicle. The light bar has an elongated support membermounted to rotate about a rotational axis extending along a length ofthe elongated support member and generally parallel to a roof of themotor vehicle. A plurality of lights are connected to the support memberso as to rotate the same amount and direction as the support memberrotates. At least one offset cam is connected to the support member sothe cam and support member rotate together about the rotational axisbetween a first position in which the lights are generally parallel tothe roof of the motor the vehicle and a second position in which thelights are generally perpendicular to the roof of the motor vehicle. Ahousing extends in an upward direction relative to the vehicle andencircling the support member. The support member is rotatably connectedto the housing to rotate about the rotational axis. An actuatingmechanism has one portion connected to the housing and another portionconnected to the offset cam at a location offset from the rotationalaxis for rotating the cam about the rotational axis between the firstand second positions.

In further variations, this system may include first and second vehiclemounts each connected to a different end of housing and the motorvehicle during. The system may also have at least one of the pluralityof lights mounted to a U-shaped bracket connected to the elongatedsupport member and rotatable about a light axis parallel to, but offsetfrom, the rotational axis. This system may also include an actuatingmechanism having a piston that may be extended and retracted, with adistal end of the piston connected to the offset cam.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other advantages and features of the invention will be betterappreciated in view of the following drawings and descriptions in whichlike numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a rotatable light bar and a mounting framefor a motor vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the light bar and mounting frame of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view taken at of one end of the light bar of FIG.2, taken at 3-3 of FIG. 2 showing part of a rotational mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the rotational mechanism of FIG. 2showing the light bar in a first, retracted position;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of the rotational mechanism of FIG. 2showing the light bar in a second, deployed position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a vehicle with the light bar andmounting frame of FIG. 1 on the vehicle and with the lights in adeployed position; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a vehicle with the light bar andmounting frame of FIG. 1 on the vehicle and with the lights in aretracted position and generally flush with a top of the vehicle cab.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a rotatable light bar 10 for a motor vehicle 12is shown. The sport bar has a generally rectangular support frame 14with front and rear opposing sidewalls 16, 18, respectively and firstand second opposing end walls 20, 22, joined to form a generallyrectangular enclosure or housing with an open top. As used herein, therelative directions front and rear, forward and backward, up and down,upper and lower are with respect to a vehicle on which the light bar 10is mounted with the front of the vehicle being the forward direction andthe ground being the down direction. The bottom of the generallyrectangular enclosure of the support frame 14 may be open or covered.The sidewalls 16, 18 are preferably metal strips as are the end walls20, 22, with the parts connected together by welding, rivets, threadedfasteners or other connecting methods to form a generally rectangularshape with the sidewalls 16, 18 generally to each other and the endwalls 20, 22 generally to each other. The “generally parallel” refers tothe overall structure arrangement because as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, therear sidewall 18 is a concave structure facing forward while frontsidewall 16 inclines slightly rearward. The sidewalls 16, 18 may have aslight cutout 23 in their lower edge along the center portion of thesidewalls. Among other things, the cutout in order to reduce blockage ofair and water at the middle of the sidewalls 16, 18.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, a longitudinal axis 24 extends betweenthe end walls 20, 22 and an elongated support member 26 extends alongand rotates about that axis. At least one, and preferably a plurality oflights 28 are connected to the elongated support member 26 and rotatewith the elongated support member 26 without changing their orientationrelative to the support member 26 during that rotation. A light mountingbracket, such as U-shaped bracket 30 preferably connects the lights tothe elongated support member 26, with the bottom 32 of the U-shapedbracket 30 being fastened to the support member 26 by threaded fasteners(not shown) or other means. Preferably two threaded fasteners are usedso the bracket 30 and base 32 may be aligned with the length of thesupport member 26 and axis 24 in a way that restrains rotation of thebracket relative to the support member 26. The opposing arms 34 of eachU-shaped bracket 30 connect to opposing sides of a light 28 to allow thelights 28 to rotate about axis 36 parallel to, but offset from, axis 24.Advantageously all lights 28 rotate about a common axis 36 but need notdo so. The arms 34 preferably have threaded nuts (FIG. 3) engagethreaded posts (FIG. 3) extending from the side of the light 28 alongaxis 36 in order to clamp the bracket arm 34 against the light andrestrain rotation about an axis parallel to the length of base 32 andaxis 24 when the nuts are is loosened and to restrain rotation when thenuts are tightened. The threaded post and nuts provide a clampingmechanism to selectively fix the angle of rotation of the light 28 abouta light rotational axis 36 through the connections with the bracket 30.The rotation of the light 28 about axis 36 moves the light's beam up anddown, and allows the light direction to be adjusted vertically duringuse, while tightening of the nuts fixes the relative orientation of thelight 28 and its beam relative to the rotating support member 26 andlight bracket 30. The lights 28 are preferably adjusted so their beamsare generally horizontal or slightly downward toward the ground duringuse.

The elongated support member 26 is rotatably mounted to rotate aboutaxis 24. The rotatable connection is preferably the same so only one endis described. As best seen in FIG. 1, the elongated support member 26has a cylindrical post 40 extending along axis 24 from the end of thesupport member 26, with the post 40 located and sized to pass through afirst, mounting hole 42 in a connecting flange 44 which is fastened tothe end of the elongated support member 26. The cylindrical post 40extends through the connecting flange 40 and into a recess or socket 45(FIG. 1) in each of the end walls 20, 22, with a bushing or bearing inthe end wall 22 so the post 40 rotates freely about axis 24. Thus, twoposts 40 on opposing ends of the elongated support member 26 arerotatably connected to opposing end walls 20, 22 so the support member26 may rotate about axis 24, with a connecting flange 42 fixed to eachopposing end of the support member 26 and rotating with the supportmember. Each recess 45 may have a bushing or bearing encircling axis 24to receive the cylindrical post 45 and facilitate rotation of theelongated support member 26 about axis 24.

At least one and preferably both of the connecting flanges 44 have asecond, cam hole 46 through which a pin or threaded fastener 48 passesto connect the flange 44 to an actuation mechanism 50. In the depictedembodiment of FIG. 1 only one actuation mechanism 50 is shown but amechanism could be located at each end of the support frame 14 andelongated support member 26. The support member 26 thus has one, andpreferably a plurality of lights 28 fastened to the support member 26through light brackets 30 that allow the individual lights to bepositioned relative to the support member 26 by rotation along lightaxis 36. The elongated support member 26 has a connecting flange 44fastened to at least one end of the member 26 (e.g., welded, riveted orbolted) so as to rotate with the support member 26, with rotation post40 extending through a hole in that flange 44 (or optionally part of andextending from the surface of flange 44 itself). The flange 44 has anoffset connecting cam hole 46 for connection with the actuatingmechanism 50 to rotate the support member 26 about the post 40 thatextends along rotational axis 24. The post 40 on each end of the supportmember 26 fits into a mating hole or recess in the end wall 20, 22 sothe support member 26 may rotate about posts 40 an axis 24.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 5, the actuation mechanism 50 maycomprise any of a variety of devices arranged to rotate the elongatedsupport member 26 and attached lights 28 about axis 24. Additionalactuation mechanisms 50 are discussed below, but for illustration,electric motor 52 may rotate a shaft (not shown) with a transducer 54such as a gear train modifying the force and motion of the motor shaftto cause an extendable and retractable piston shaft 58 extend andretract relative to a fixed piston base 56. A hole 60 (FIG. 3) throughthe end of the piston shaft 53 connects the shaft 53 to the connectingflange 44 and elongated support bar. As the piston shaft 53 is connectedto the connecting flange 44 at a location offset from the axis 24 whichpasses through that connecting flange, movement of the piston shaft 53will rotate the connecting flange and elongated support member 26 whichis connected to that flange. The offset between the holes 42, 46 inconnecting flange 44 forms an offset cam which causes rotation ofelongated support member (and lights 28) about axis 24 as the extendableand retractable piston 58 extends and retracts.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, when the piston 58 is in a first, retractedpositon the elongated support member 26 (shown in cross-section with aC-shaped cross-section) is in a vertical orientation with the lights 28held horizontally, extending between the side walls 16, 18 and withinthe enclosure formed by sidewalls 16, 18 and end walls 20, 22. This is astowed positon with the lights 28 shielded by the side walls and endwalls 16, 18, 20, 22 and the top faces of the lights 28 generally withinthose walls and preferably slightly below or flush with the upper edgeof those walls. The faces of the lights can extend above the upper edgeof those walls but the further the lights extend the more risk of damageto the lens of the lights.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3 and 5-7, when the piston 58 is in a second,extended position the elongated support member 26 is in a horizontalorientation with the lights 28 held generally vertically and above theupper periphery of the top edge of the walls 16, 18, 20, 22 so as toshine forward and assist the vehicle lights during use (FIG. 6). As seenin FIGS. 4 and 5, the actuating mechanism 50 is preferably pivotallymounted to the sidewall 18 at rotating connection 62 mounted to a brace63 that offsets the connection 62 from the sidewall 18. That allows aslight rotation as the extendable and retractable piston shaft 58extends and retracts. The rotating connection 62 is formed by passingthe shaft of a threaded fastener through aligned holes through a boss orflange 63 extending from or fastened to the sidewall 18 or brace 61, anda boss extending from or fastened to the actuating mechanism 50.Depending on the arrangement of the parts, a cutout 64 (FIG. 3) may beprovided to prevent the piston base 56 or extendable piston shaft 58from hitting the sidewall 16 or end wall 20, 22.

Advantageously, a single actuating mechanism 50 may be used, locatedadjacent end wall 22 as shown in FIG. 1. But if desired two or moremechanisms may be used, depending on the weight of the lights 28 and thesupport to be provided to the support member 26. Advantageously, onlytwo actuating mechanisms 50 are used in order to avoid complexities insynchronizing the mechanisms and rotation of the support member 26 andlights 28.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, the support frame 12 is connected to mountingframe that preferably including at least one tubular frame member 70 oneach end of the support frame. The illustrated embodiment locates theframe 12 at the rear of the cab of a pickup truck and has two tubular,mounting frame members 70 connected to each of the ends 18, 22. Aforward mounting frame member 70 a extends in the generally verticaldirection from a mounting flange 72 that is generally horizontal to aforward side of one of the end walls 20, 22. The mounting frame members70 a are preferably cylindrical tubes but other cross-sectional shapesmay be used, including rectangular cross-sections. The upper portions ofthe front frame members 70 a extend in the vertical direction so as tofollow the vertical direction of the back of a cab on a pickup truck.The front frame members 70 a may be inclined toward each other if thelength of the support frame does not extend across the entire width ofthe vehicle cab. The front frame members 70 a are long enough or extendvertically enough to place the bottom of the walls 16, 18, 20 and 22 atthe top of the roof of the vehicle so the lights 28 can shine forwardacross the top of the vehicle's cab as in FIG. 6.

A rear mounting frame member 70 b extends from a rear side of one of theend walls 20, 22 to the mounting flange 72, rearward of the connectionof the forward member 70 a with the flange 72. The mounting flange 72may be a flat plate and fastened to a truck box, or as seen in FIGS.1-2, have a depending side 74 located to fit along the outer side of apickup bed's sidewall and restrain movement of the mounting flange 72laterally toward the inside of the truck bed during use. The mountingflange 72 may have a front depending flange 76 to fit between the caband the truck bed at the front of the truck bed's sidewall, in order tokeep the flange 72 from sliding rearward. The space between the twoframe members 70 a, 70 b may be empty or filled with a panel 78 asshown.

The rotation of the elongated support member 26 and lights 28 betweenthe first and second positions was described using an electric motor inthe actuating mechanism 50 to move the extendable piston shaft 58.Numerous other mechanisms may be used to extend and retract the pistonshaft 58, including a solenoid aligned with the base 56 and extendablepiston 58, or an electrically driven pneumatic compressor 58 driving anair piston assembly 56, 58, or a hydraulic compressor 58 driving ahydraulic piston assembly 56, 58. All of these various mechanismsdescribed herein comprise means for rotating the elongated support bar26 and lights 28.

The size of the driving motor 52 depends in part on the mounting andmass of the support member 26 and lights, and on the offset cam distancebetween the rotating axis 24 through post 40 and hole 42, and theconnection with the movable piston member 58 at cam hole 46 and pin 48.The larger the offset the more distance traveled by the extendable andretractable piston member 58 and the lower the power required of themotor 52. The use of a linearly actuated (via piston 58), offset cammechanism as describe here allows a predictable rotation so theelongated support member 26 and lights 28 are repeatedly and accuratelypositioned in the first and second positions, and preferably no otherpositions. Thus, by varying the length that the piston member 58 extendsor retracts the amount of rotation of the support member 26 and lights28 may be varied. Advantageously, the lights may be deployed andretracted in a few seconds and the actuating mechanism 50 designedaccordingly.

Actuation of the actuating mechanism 52 is preferably controlled by apower switch 80 (FIGS. 4-5) that may be located on or adjacent to thewalls 16, 18, 20, 22 or members 70 a, 70 b and in electricalcommunication with the vehicle's battery or alternator or generator thatis used to power the lights 28. Preferably, the power switch 80 islocated in the vehicle cab and on the vehicle's dashboard, for easyaccess by the vehicle driver or passenger and to allow rapid deploymentor extraction of the lights 28 as deemed necessary.

When the lights 28 are in the first, retracted position the lights aresubstantially surrounded by the generally rectangular enclosure formedby sidewalls 16, 18 and end walls 20, 22, so that any branches,undergrowth, rocks or other debris passing the area of the lights willstrike and be deflected by the walls 16, 18, 20, 22, and any striking ofthe lights 28 will be a glancing blow more parallel to the face of thelights and thus less likely to damage the lights. In this first,retracted position the lights are also shielded by the sidewalls 16, 18from wind generated by vehicle motion and that reduces wind resistanceand noise. When the lights 28 are in the first, retracted position theyare also generally parallel to the roof of a motor vehicle as in FIG. 7,in the sense that the lenses of the lights or the body of the lights aregenerally parallel to the vehicle's roof, providing a lower profile thatmakes the lights less subject to damage and offers less wind resistanceand noise. When the lights 28 are in the second, deployed position theyare generally perpendicular to the vehicle roof and pointing in the samedirection as the vehicle's headlights (FIG. 6), with the rotation of theindividual lights about axis 36 allowing some variation in the directionof each light.

The depicted embodiment shows the light bar 10 mounted on two mountingframe members 70 a, 70 b suitable for locating the light bar at the rearof a pickup truck's cab. If the light bar 10 is mounted toward the frontof the cab a single mounting frame member 70 a may be used, preferablyone with a narrower profile such as a tube with a thin, rectangularcross-section that extends along and may be connected to the frame forthe vehicle's windshield or the front quarter panel. Alternatively thefront mounting frame member 70 a may extend generally verticallydownward to fasten to the front quarter panel of the vehicle. Given thepresent disclosure, one skilled in the art may configure the mountingframe members 70 various ways to position the light bar 14 at variouslocations on the vehicle to meet the desired lighting needs.

The preferred design has the connecting flange 44 at one end of thesupport member 26. But a flange with the offset hole 46 could be locatedanywhere along the length of the support member 26, with an actuatingmechanism correspondingly located and connected to one of the sidewalls16, 18 and connected to the offset hole 46 to form a cam mechanism torotate the support member 26 and lights 28.

The elongated support member 26 is shown with a C-shaped cross-sectionthat allows the lights 28 to be fastened to the long leg of thecross-section. A series of pre-formed holes may be placed along thelength of the support member to make it easy to align the lights 28 orbrackets 30 on the member 26 so the lights are aligned relative to themember 26. Depending on the weight of the lights, other cross-sectionalshapes can be used, including box sections. The support member 26 isrotatably mounted to rotate about axis 24 within the shielding enclosureformed by the walls 16, 18, 20, 22.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation.Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devisevariations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention.Further, the various features of this invention can be used alone, or invarying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limitedto the specific combination described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A light bar and mounting system for a motorvehicle, comprising: a generally rectangular support frame encircling anelongated support member, the support frame having two opposingsidewalls joined to two opposing, first and second ends and open top; arotational axis extending between the first and second ends with theelongated support member extending along and rotating about that axisbetween a first, retracted position and a second, deployed position; aplurality of electrical lights fastened to the elongated support memberand pointing in the same direction and rotating with the elongatedsupport member between the first and second positions, the plurality oflights in the first position pointing along a generally vertical axisduring use and in the second position pointing in a direction generallyperpendicular to the first direction; an actuating mechanism having apiston connected to the elongated support member at a location offsetfrom the rotational axis to form an offset cam, the actuating member ismovable between a first, retracted cam position which rotates theelongated support member and lights to the first, retracted position,and a second, deployed cam position which rotates the elongated supportmember and lights to the second, deployed position; a first mountingbracket having a first, upper end connected to at least one of the firstend of the support frame or one of the sides of the support frame, thefirst mounting bracket having a second, lower end with a mounting plateto connect to the vehicle during use; a second mounting bracket having afirst, upper end connected to at least one of the second end of thesupport frame or one of the sides of the support frame, the secondmounting bracket having a second, lower end with a mounting plate toconnect to the vehicle during use.
 2. The light bar and mounting systemof claim 1, wherein the first mounting bracket comprises a single,tubular member and the second mounting bracket comprises a single,tubular member.
 3. The light bar and mounting system of claim 1, whereinthe sidewalls and lights are configured so that when the lights are inthe first, retracted position each of the lights is below an upper edgeof at least one of the sidewalls.
 4. The light bar and mounting systemof 1, wherein the elongated support member has a C-shaped cross-section.5. The light bar and mounting system of claim 1, wherein the first andsecond mounting brackets each comprises a first and second tubeextending downward and angled apart from each other and extendingdownward a distance sufficient to locate a bottom of the support framesidewalls at the top of a vehicle cab of a pickup truck when themounting plates are connected to a box of the pickup truck.
 6. The lightbar and mounting system of claim 1, wherein the lights are three inch,square lights.
 7. The light bar and mounting system of claim 1, whereinthe lights are seven inch, round lights.
 8. The light bar and mountingsystem of claim 1, wherein the actuating mechanism includes a pistonthat is extendable and retractable to rotate the elongated supportmember.
 9. The light bar and mounting system of claim 1, wherein theactuating mechanism includes a solenoid.
 10. The light bar and mountingsystem of claim 1, wherein the actuating mechanism is electricallypowered and actuated by a switch.
 11. The light bar and mounting systemof claim 10, mounted on one of the support frame, the first mountingbracket or the second mounting bracket.
 12. A light bar and mountingsystem for a motor vehicle, comprising: a housing having two opposingsidewalls sized to extend across a substantial portion of the width of amotor vehicle, the housing having two opposing end walls each connectedto both sidewalls at opposing ends of the sidewalls; an elongatedsupport member within the housing and rotatably connected to the endwalls to rotate about a longitudinal axis through the end walls; aplurality of lights connected to the elongated support member andemitting light in the same direction; an offset cam connected to theelongated support to rotate offset cam, the support member and lightsabout the longitudinal between first and second positions, the firstposition having the lights oriented generally horizontal during use andthe second position having the lights generally perpendicular to thefirst position.
 13. The light bar and mounting system of claim 12,further comprising an actuating mechanism connected to the housing, themechanism including a driving mechanism motor moving a piston thatextends and retracts, the piston connected to the offset cam to move thecam between the first and second positions.
 14. The light bar andmounting system of claim 12, further comprising a mounting bracketconnecting at least one light to the elongated support member, themounting bracket connected to the light at two locations defining alight rotational axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis aboutwhich the light may rotate, and a clamping mechanism to restrain suchrotation at a desired rotation.
 15. The light bar and mounting system ofclaim 12, including first and second vehicle mounts each connected to adifferent end of at least one of the sidewalls or end walls andextending downward during use.
 16. The light bar and mounting system,comprising: a light bar connected to a motor vehicle having wheels so asto extend across a width of the vehicle, the light bar having anelongated support member mounted to rotate about a rotational axisextending along a length of the elongated support member and generallyparallel to a roof of the motor vehicle; a plurality of lights connectedto the support member so as to rotate the same amount and direction asthe support member rotates, at least one offset cam connected to thesupport member so the cam and support member rotate together about therotational axis between a first position in which the lights aregenerally parallel to the roof of the motor the vehicle and a secondposition in which the lights are generally perpendicular to the roof ofthe motor vehicle; a housing extending in an upward direction relativeto the vehicle and encircling the support member, the support memberbeing rotatably connected to the housing to rotate about the rotationalaxis; and an actuating mechanism having one portion connected to thehousing and another portion connected to the offset cam at a locationoffset from the rotational axis for rotating the cam about therotational axis between the first and second positions; wherein at leastone of the plurality of lights is mounted to a U-shaped bracketconnected to the elongated support member and rotatable about a lightaxis parallel to, but offset from, the rotational axis.
 17. Thesupplemental motor vehicle lighting system of claim 16, furthercomprising first and second vehicle mounts each connected to a differentend of housing and the motor vehicle during.
 18. The light bar andmounting system, comprising: a light bar connected to a motor vehiclehaving wheels so as to extend across a width of the vehicle, the lightbar having an elongated support member mounted to rotate about arotational axis extending along a length of the elongated support memberand generally parallel to a roof of the motor vehicle; a plurality oflights connected to the support member so as to rotate the same amountand direction as the support member rotates, at least one offset camconnected to the support member so the cam and support member rotatetogether about the rotational axis between a first position in which thelights are generally parallel to the roof of the motor the vehicle and asecond position in which the lights are generally perpendicular to theroof of the motor vehicle; a housing extending in an upward directionrelative to the vehicle and encircling the support member, the supportmember being rotatably connected to the housing to rotate about therotational axis; and an actuating mechanism having one portion connectedto the housing and another portion connected to the offset cam at alocation offset from the rotational axis for rotating the cam about therotational axis between the first and second positions; wherein theactuating mechanism includes a piston that may be extended andretracted, with a distal end of the piston connected to the offset cam.